Screening and evaluation of white rot fungi to decolourise synthetic dyes, with particular reference to Antrodiella albocinnamomea

Abstract

The ability of 60 white-rot fungal strains (38 species) to decolourise six structurally different synthetic dyes, namely Congo red, Orange G, Alizarin red, Crystal violet, Neutral red and Methylene blue, which, respectively, belong to the azo, anthraquinone-based, triphenylmethane and heterocyclic dye groups, were investigated by agar plate tests. Effects of different culture conditions on the decolourisation of Alizarin red by the Chinese-specific species of white-rot fungus, Antrodiella albocinnamomea, were investigated using liquid cultures. The results show that most of the isolates had the capacity to decolourise all synthetic dyes. Antrodiella albocinnamomea was first reported as having a strong decolourizing capacity and is closely related to Cerrena unicolor in the phylogenetic tree. In liquid culture, the optimum pH was 5.5 and, compared to other carbon and nitrogen sources tested, glucose and malt extracts resulted in the best decolourisation performances. The high activity of laccase produce by A. albocinnamomea was mainly responsible for its high decolourisation efficiency.